You should really enjoy The Art Of Darkness! It's a great book about King covering his very early years, his struggles as an unpublished writer and his breakthrough with the publication of his first novel. Douglas Winter captures it all with a critics eye but also as a fan of King's writings.

I found a paperback copy at the library's used book sale several months back. I'm reading it slowly, as I am usually reading several books at a time!

October 24th, 2013

joelaine13

Re: Your latest Stephen King related purchase...

My latest purchases were for my kindle: The Shining; Carrie; Salem's Lot. Also, I pre-ordered the hard copy Dr. Sleep. The selling point for me was that Doc grew up to be alcoholic like his dad. The writing about recovery is some of the best I've read (I don't think I've read more powerful writing about alcoholism, including Long Day's Journey Into Night ​by Eugene O' Neal. One thing I like about Dr. Sleep is that it has redemption, rather than hopeless despair. I am currently passing the book around to friends in my network who are also alkies in recovery (sorry Stephen, but hey, most people will have to re-read your other stuff too; I did). I have to wonder if writers mind, if you own a copy, if you loan it out. I think that, if you have a friend who can't afford to buy one I would not mind because the writer wants to make that connection, & I don't think SK minds either. I am re-reading The Shining, which I haven't read in decades & am freshly floored by how well written it is. Truly a wonderful book. And I have to re-read Salem's Lot this week because that one truly scared me witless so that I didn't want to be alone. Wonderful reading for October!

This is the only pre-publication version of the Grant Gunslinger that I know of.

John

October 28th, 2013

king family fan

Re: Your latest Stephen King related purchase...

My hubby bought me a first edition Wastelands and a first edition My Pretty Pony for my birthday. I was shocked $60 for the two.

October 29th, 2013

king family fan

Re: Your latest Stephen King related purchase...

Limited signed shivers VII came in the mail today. Must start reading today.

October 30th, 2013

notebookgirl

Re: Your latest Stephen King related purchase...

Three books in one, Carrie, The Shining and Salem's Lot for $25 at Barnes and Noble. It looks like an old school book from the 1800s. It's a pretty neat classic looking hardcover. I thought it was a good deal for that price. Thought it would be an interesting piece to the collection.